Implement tip isolating and retaining mat

ABSTRACT

An implement tip isolating and retaining mat manufactured of rigid material has an entirely crenellated top surface wherein a plurality of tapered apertures define a plurality of holes and peaks. A plurality of pins project from the underside of the mat to elevate and support the mat. A series of guidelines on the underside of the mat provide the user with guidance for cutting. The mat may be fitted to the inside of a holder or placed on a horizontal surface. The holes in the mat provide implement tip guidance and support for implements stored in the holder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of: Provisional Application forPatent No. US60/609,329 Filing Date Sep. 13, 2004

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to storage holders for hand heldimplements and small objects. More specifically, a rigid elevatedperforated mat with a plurality of holes and standoff pins foraccessibly retaining hand-held implements and small objects or the tipsthereof is disclosed.

When an implement such as a pen, being of sufficient weight, is placeddirectly into a storage container, such as a commonly used pencilholder, the ball in the tip of the pen is depressed causing the pen toleak. The ink dries in the tip of the pen or on the ball of the pencausing the pen to skip rendering it useless. Ink may also leak fromdefective pens. Ink collects in the bottom of the pencil holder andmixes with dust contaminating the pencil holder. Implement tips freelymove around in the pencil holder and become contaminated with ink anddust. When the need arises, an implement such as a pen or a pencil isremoved from the pencil holder. With its tip contaminated with ink anddust, ink blobs are then transferred to the intended work surface thuscausing smears and smudges.

Presently, materials such as paper towel and napkins are placed in thebottom of containers such as cups, cans or specifically manufactured penand pencil holders to absorb leaking fluids from implements such aspens. This helps, but does not eliminate the problems.

Another common problem in present implement storage containers is thedamaging impact to the tip of implements such as pens and pencils whenthey are dropped onto hard surfaces such as the inside bottom of thestorage containers.

The design and physical properties of the present invention prove to bebeneficial in such a way that they eliminate the damaging impact thatoccurs to the tip of an implement such as a pen or a pencil when theimplement is dropped onto a hard surface, such as into a storagecontainer manufactured of materials such as a hard plastic, metal,glass, ceramic or like having no implement mat. The present inventionisolates the tips of implements such as pens and pencils and preventsthe tips from moving around in the bottom of the storage container andfrom contacting the bottom of the storage container. This eliminatespressure on pen tips, eliminates ink build up on pen and pencil tipswhich causes ink smudges on writing surfaces or documents and eliminatescross contamination of liquid ink or water thin ink pens.

The embodiments described herein provide a very economical solution tothese problems. In the past, attempts have been made to prevent pen andpencil tips from contacting the bottom of containers they are stored in.This would require purchasing a specifically designed and manufactureddevice or container for retaining implements such as pens and pencils.The present invention allows the end user to modify their presentstorage container. This eliminates the problems described herein andgreatly reduces overall costs such as damaged or destroyed documents,damaged expensive pens and the need to discard their present containerand purchase another which can be costly as well as damaging to theenvironment.

Mats or holders having a plurality of holes have been used for manyyears to store small objects. Apparatus for holding small implementsvertically have included empty cups, specific containers, boxes, andfoam blocks. Foam blocks have been used with small holes or slits intowhich small hand held implements such as drill bits or pens and pencilsare inserted. Conventional cup type holders have the disadvantage of theweight of the pen depressing the ball in the tip causing ink to leakinto the holder. Depression of the ball or roller can also cause ink todry on parts of the ball or roller causing the pen to skip when in use.The tips of pencils are easily broken off in conventional holders.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,092,156 to Mathis on Apr. 7, 1914 disclosed a pencilholder having a top perforated surface which pencil tips pass throughand a bottom perforated disinfecting tablet or pad through which penciltips project. A considerable amount of space between the top surface ofthe holder and the top surface of the pad in conjunction with the spacebetween the holes and the reasonably flat top surface of the pad provideno guidance of the pencil tip into a hole.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,862 B1 to Acquaviva et al. on Mar. 20, 2001disclosed a pen holder molded in foam having six tapering cavities toengage and hold upright pens and other writing implements. The cavitiesare spaced a considerable distance apart and the top surface of theholder appears to be reasonably flat providing no guidance of theimplement tip into the cavity. The cavities have closed bottomsresulting in difficult cleaning practices and the pooling of ink fromleaking writing implements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,551 to Peterson on Sep. 7, 1971 and U.S. Pat. No.3,365,761 to Kalvig on Jan. 30, 1968 show tool or shaft holding deviceshaving flat top surfaces. In both cases the holes are spaced apart fromeach other providing no guidance of implement tips into a hole.

An implement tip mat or holder providing guidance into any given hole isrequired which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providinga rigid mat that can support implements or implement tips in asubstantially vertical position, has holes to isolate the tip of theimplements, can accommodate different sized implements, has a structurewhich aids guidance of the implement into the mat, requires littlematerial to manufacture the device, and is easily cleaned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for animplement holder that overcomes some of the disadvantages of the priorart.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple holeholder for retaining implements vertically to avoid pressure on the tipsof implements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an implementretainer which is easy to use one-handed, cheap to manufacture anddurable.

In accordance with the present invention, an object retainer isdisclosed having a base, a plurality of holes disposed in the base, anda plurality of pins projecting downward from the base.

Preferably the holes are arranged in a triangular or staggered gridpattern substantially close to each other.

Advantageously, the retaining device or holder is made of a rigidmaterial.

Other variations of the invention include disposing the holes inconcentric circles, an irregular pattern or in a quadrilateral pattern.

Another variation of the invention includes lines on the bottom surfaceof the retaining device.

Advantageously, the holder may be placed in a container or on a flatsurface. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent whenconsidering the drawings in conjunction with the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

For a better understanding of the invention, its principles and itsapplication, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the present invention takenalong line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention taken along line 3-3 inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment similar to thepreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an open end sectional view of a pen holder and a front viewof the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, in use with a pen insertedtherein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a sectional view ofanother embodiment having sloped side walls in use with a pen insertedtherein and a portion of a pen in phantom.

FIG. 9 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a front view similarto the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 in use with a pen insertedtherein and a sectional view of a variation of the sloped side wallsshown in FIG. 8 and a portion of a pen in phantom.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of another embodiment, similar tothe present invention shown in FIG. 4, in a stand alone version with ascrew driver retained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the present invention described andillustrated herein as an example, an implement mat indicated generallyat 10 is shown in perspective. Mat 10 is generally a quadrilateralperforated mat for use in a container such as a pen holder or on acounter top. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the mat 10 optimally having anentirely crenellated top surface 11 perforated with holes 13 and apreferably flat bottom surface 14 perforated with holes 13.Alternatively the bottom surface may be entirely crenellated similar tothe top surface. As illustrated in FIG. 1 the mat 10 comprises aplurality of holes 13 and a series of pins 15. The holes 13 comprise ofannular sloped faces 12, defining the top of the holes 13 andcylindrical sections 16, defining the bottom of the holes 13.

As shown in FIG. 2 the holes 13 are optimally arranged in a staggered orequilateral triangular grid pattern and are substantially closetogether. The holes may be arranged in various patterns such as square,irregular or concentric circles. The equidistant spacing between theholes in conjunction with the widest diameter of the frustoconicalsections will reflect on the preferred embodiment having an entirelycrenellated, perforated top surface 11 consisting of multiple peaks asshown in FIGS. 1-4. (With the top surface of the mat and the peaks beingone and the same, the same reference number 11 will be used). Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the center of the perimeter holes 17 mustbe at least to the edge of the mat 10 or beyond to maintain the entirelycrenellated top surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates in detail, each hole 13 having a frustoconicalsection with the inner surface 12 of the frustoconical section having atleast one angle starting at the top surface 11 of the mat 10 andtapering down into the mat sufficiently, at which point the smallerdiameter of the frustoconical section of the hole 13 conjoins thecylindrical section 16 of hole 13. The cylindrical section 16 continuesthrough the remainder of the mat 10 terminating at the bottom surface14. The cylindrical section 16 of each hole 13 is at least small enoughto allow only the tip of an implement such as a pen or pencil to passthrough. The cylindrical section may be tapered. The degree of the angleor angles of the inner surface 12 of the frustoconical section will varydepending on the widest diameter of the frustoconical section inconjunction with the equidistant spacing between the holes 13, thethickness of the mat 10 and the diameter and length of the cylindricalsection 16. The inner surface 12 of the frustoconical section may beconvex or concave, smooth or of a texture.

As shown in FIG. 4 the pins 15 protrude vertically downward from thebottom surface 14 of the mat 10 providing a means of support for the matallowing the bottom surface of the mat to be elevated or kept away fromthe surface that the mat is placed in or on as shown in FIG. 7.Optimally the cross-section of the pins 15 would be cylindrical in shapeand may be hollow. The cross-section of the pins 15 may be of othershapes such as square or triangular (not shown).

FIG. 5 indicates the general location of the pins 15 being positioned inaccordance with the holes 13 and the perimeter of the mat 10. Dependingon the size and application of the mat, pins would be added to provideand maintain proper support of the mat.

The size of the holes 13 and the size of the implement tips inconjunction with the length of the pins 15 which protrude from thebottom surface 14 of the mat 10 isolate and prevent the implement tipsfrom contacting any surface the mat is placed in or on. By isolating andsuspending the tip of an implement such as a pen or a pencil, pressureon the tip is eliminated preventing implement tip damage and tipmovement is significantly reduced.

The mat 10 is preferably fabricated of a generally rigid material ofsufficient mass and physical properties to prevent the mat fromdistortion caused by such conditions as heat or the weight of theimplements placed therein or thereon. The mat is designed to be cut tofit different sized containers. The thickness of the mat is kept at aminimum to allow the end user to easily cut and trim the mat ifnecessary.

Suitable fabricating materials may include metal, fiberglass orpreferably thermoplastic resins such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS), polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. Optimally the matwould be fabricated of ABS. The mat can be processed in a variety ofsizes and thicknesses and may be circular or of other shapes dependingon the application. The preferred manufacturing process is injectionmolding making it economical to produce.

Similar to the preferred embodiment, mat 10, FIG. 6 illustrates anotherembodiment, mat 10a, having guidelines 19 a. The guidelines could be ofsingular rows or of shapes such as circular, square, triangular or oval,could be raised or recessed and would be molded as part of the bottomsurface of the mat during the molding process. Additional pins 15 awhich also protrude vertically downward from the bottom surface 14a ofthe mat 10 a would be added in similar patterns in accordance with thelines depending on the size and application of the mat. This wouldprovide the end user with reference lines should the mat requiretrimming.

In use, as shown in FIG. 7, the mat 10 is placed in an upright positionin or on a suitable supporting surface such as in a pen holder 40. Thepen holder 40 comprises an open top, a substantially flat bottom 41 andsubstantially vertical side walls 42. The bottom of the pen holder maybe of different shapes such as circular, square, triangular or oval. Theunattached end 18 of the pins 15 rest on the supporting surface 41. Withthe mat 10 inserted in the pen holder 40, the edges of the mat are insubstantial contact with the vertical side walls 42 of the pen holder.An implement such as a pen 50 is placed tip 51 first into the pen holder40 in a substantially vertical downward motion. Inevitably the pen tip51 comes in contact with a peak 11, conical face 12, or falls directlyinto a hole 13. In the event of the pen tip coming in contact with apeak or a conical face the pen tip would freely slide down the facedropping into the adjacent hole 13. Upon release of the pen 50 the upperportion or shaft of the pen being unsupported, would tend to fall overand come to rest against the top open edge of the pen holder 40. The pentip would remain retained by the mat and would be suspended and isolatedfrom the bottom surface of the pen holder.

Similar to the preferred embodiment, mat 10 shown in FIG. 7, anotherembodiment, mat 20 illustrated in FIG. 8 having upstanding sloped sidewalls 24 is described herein. The side walls 24 comprise an innersurface 24 a and an outer surface 24 b, apart at the base, conjoiningwith the mat and adjoined at the top forming a peak 24 c. The wallsprotrude outward from the outer edges of the mat upward at an obtuseangle from the horizontal top surface of the mat. Preferably the innerand outer surfaces of the side walls would rise upward (to a height offor example 0.5 inches) from the top surface 21 of the mat 20 atslightly different angles to each other (of for example the innersurface at an angle of 120 degrees and the outer surface at an angle of110 degrees) outward from the outer edge of the mat 20 sufficiently toform a peak. The base of the side walls could be (for example) 0.06inches thick. The inner surface and outer surface of the side walls 24may be convex or concave, smooth or of a texture and would be molded aspart of the implement mat 20 during the injection mold process. Suitablefabricating materials may include metal, fiberglass or preferablythermoplastic resins such as ABS, polypropylene, polystyrene andpolyethylene. Optimally the mat would be fabricated of ABS. The mat 20would be processed in many sizes, thicknesses and shapes depending onthe application. The preferred manufacturing process is injectionmolding.

In use, the mat 20 is placed in an upright position in a pen holder 40with the unattached end 28 of the pins 25 resting on the supportingsurface 41. The peaks 24 c of the mat's side walls 24 are in substantialcontact with the vertical side walls 42 of the pen holder. This wouldcreate an uninterrupted smooth transition from the vertical side walls42 of the pen holder 40 to the sloped side walls 24 of the mat 20. Animplement, similar to pen 50, such as pen 50 a, (a portion of a penshown in phantom) is placed tip 51 a first into the pen holder 40 in asubstantially vertical downward motion. In the event of the pen tip 51 acoming in contact with the side wall 42 of the pen holder 40 the pen tipwould slide down the side wall of the pen holder coming in contact withthe inner surface 24 a of the mat's side wall 24. The pen tip wouldfreely slide down the inner surface of the mat's sloped side walldropping directly into a hole similar to hole 13 in mat 10 or onto apeak 21 or a conical face 22 of the mat 20 to be guided into a hole.This would further maintain implement tip isolation and add to theeffectiveness of the mat in use. The pen 50 a is released and comes torest against the top open edge of the pen holder while the pen tip 51 aremains retained by the mat.

Optionally, FIG. 9 illustrates a free standing sloped upstanding sidewall 70, similar to side wall 24 of mat 20 shown in FIG. 8, and isdescribed herein. The cross-section configuration of the side wall 70 istriangular in shape, similar to that of side wall 24, having an innersurface 70 a and an outer surface 70 b with both surfaces joining at thetop forming a peak 70c and widening at the bottom forming the base. Theinner surface and outer surface of the side wall may be convex orconcave, smooth or of a texture. There are fin-like protrusions 71,perpendicular from the outer surface of the side wall 70 that supportthe side wall. The cross-section configuration of the fin-likeprotrusion 71 is (for example) 0.06 inches thick and the overall sidesurface configuration of the fin is triangular in shape. Starting at apoint generally at the peak 70 c of the side wall 70, the attached edgeof the protrusion 71 follows the outer surface 70 b of the side walldown to the base of the side wall. The bottom of the protrusion 71widens horizontally (to, for example 0.5 inches) but does not exceedpast the vertical line of the peak of the side wall 70. The outsideunattached edge of the protrusion would rise vertically terminatinggenerally at the peak of the side wall. The protrusions 71 are necessaryto support the side wall 70 at the desired angle as it is a standaloneversion. Side wall 70 would thus be placed on the top surface of the mat10 around the edge of the mat providing the same function as describedof the side wall 24. Ultimately, the side wall 70 would be used incontainers having straight sides such as containers having square,rectangular or triangular bottoms. The side wall 70 could be fastened tothe mat 10 using adhesive or other means. Suitable fabricating materialsmay include metal, fiberglass or preferably thermoplastic resins such asABS, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. Optimally the sidewall would be fabricated of ABS. The side wall 70 can be processed invarious lengths, preferably one length and would be cut and trimmed tofit the desired containers depending on the application. The preferredmanufacturing process is injection molding making it economical toproduce.

Another variation of the side wall (not shown), similar to side wall 70as shown in FIG. 9, is also a sloped side wall without the fin-likeprotrusions, molded in a substantially circular shape making it suitablefor containers with circular bottoms such as coffee cups. The innersurface and outer surface of the side wall may be convex or concave,smooth or of a texture. Ultimately, this variation would be used incontainers having circular or oval bottoms and would be placed on thetop surface of the mat around the edge of the mat. It may be fastened tothe mat using adhesive or other means and would provide the samefunction as side walls 24 and 70. Suitable fabricating materials mayinclude metal, fiberglass or preferably thermoplastic resins such asABS, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. Optimally the sidewall would be fabricated of ABS and could be processed in various sizeddiameters or in a coil. The preferred manufacturing process is extrusionmolding making it economical to produce.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment, mat 30, similar to the preferredembodiment, mat 10, shown in FIG. 4, placed independently on ahorizontal surface such as a counter top. Mat 30 is used to retainimplements such as screwdrivers. In use, an implement such as ascrewdriver 60 is directed in a considerably downward motion, tip 61first, toward the top surface 31 of the implement mat 30. Inevitably thescrewdriver tip 61 comes in contact with a peak 31, frustoconical face32, or falls directly into a hole. In the event of the screwdriver tipcoming in contact with a peak or a conical face, the screwdriver tipwould freely slide down the face 32 dropping into the adjacent hole,similar to hole 13 of mat 10. The entire shaft of the screwdriver wouldpass through the hole, at which point the handle of the screwdriverbeing much larger in diameter than the hole would come to rest on thetop surface 31 of the mat 30. With the increased length of the pins 35which support the mat and more of the implement passing through the mat,lowering the center of gravity, the screwdriver 60 is sufficientlyretained therein without the use of a container. Suitable fabricatingmaterials and processing would be similar to the other embodiments andvariations described herein.

The distance between the holes, the angle or angles and diameters of thefrustoconical section, the length and diameter of the cylindricalsection, the shape, size and length of the pins, the thickness of themat and the material the mat is fabricated of can vary depending on theapplication of the mat and the size, type and or weight of theimplements being stored in or on the mat.

Of the embodiments mentioned, peaks and slopes are necessary to provideguidance of the implement tips into the holes. The cylindrical sectionof each hole is necessary to maintain the specific size of the hole andto minimize implement tip jamming. The pins are necessary to elevate themat from the supporting surface preventing the implement tips retainedin the holes of the mat from contacting the surface the mat is placed inor on.

The embodiments described herein by no means limit the present inventionto the precise forms disclosed. They have been chosen and described tobest explain the principles and practical use of the present inventionin its simplest form to enable others skilled in the art to make and usethe same. The drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to bedetermined by the following claims.

1. A customizable apparatus to fit within a holder for retaining atleast one implement in said holder, comprising: (a) a mat having anentirely crenellated top surface wherein a plurality of taperedapertures in said top surface of said mat define a plurality of holes,the highpoint of said apertures form a plurality of peaks; (b) aplurality of pins projecting from the underside of said mat elevate andsupport said mat in said holder; and (c) a series of guidelines on saidunderside of said mat adapted to provide guidance for cutting said matto fit said holder.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said matis manufactured of rigid material.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2wherein said material is one of: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS),polypropylene, polystyrene or polyethylene.
 4. The apparatus defined inclaim 1 wherein said holes are equidistant from each other.
 5. Theapparatus defined in claim 4 wherein a plurality of said holes arealigned in a triangular staggered grid pattern.
 6. The apparatus definedin claim 5 wherein a plurality of said holes are aligned in one of thefollowing: quadrilateral, concentric circles, or an irregular pattern.7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said holes are adapted toguide and suspend the tip of said implement.
 8. The apparatus defined inclaim 1 wherein said holes have a wide upper portion tapering to anarrower mid and lower portion.
 9. An apparatus to fit within a holderfor retaining at least one implement in said holder, comprising: (a) amat having an entirely crenellated top surface wherein a plurality oftapered apertures in said top surface of said mat define a plurality ofholes, the highpoint of said apertures form a plurality of peaks; (b) aplurality of pins projecting from the underside of said mat elevate andsupport said mat in said holder; and (c) upstanding side wallsprotruding at an obtuse angle from said top surface of said mat aroundthe perimeter of said mat preventing the tip of said implement fromcontacting the side wall of said holder.